The hottest Humanities Substack posts right now

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Whither the Humanities?

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 483 implied HN points • 15 Mar 26
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. A free, online Hinternet Foundation Inaugural Summer School will run on Fridays and Saturdays in August 2026 and is limited to 15 participants.
  2. The program centers on the question "What Makes Us Human?" and will offer sustained reflection on the current state and future of humanistic inquiry, with each year taking a different approach.
  3. Thanks to a generous donation the course is offered at no cost, but applicants must apply by June 1; the program is run by a California-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

A Third Way for the Humanities

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 8156 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. Universities have hollowed out traditional humanities: economic pressures, corporate influence, and technologies like AI have pushed departments toward market‑driven, business‑school models that prevent professors from teaching deep humanistic formation.
  2. The main intellectual responses—shrill “myth‑busting” critique and crude nationalist “myth‑making”—both miss the point and produce narrow, self‑defeating approaches that break the humanities’ broad, comparative, and democratic purpose.
  3. The real remedy is to build parallel, independent initiatives and community institutions that treat the humanities as a practice of self‑cultivation and collective study of cultural traditions, not merely as credentialing or corporate training.

The Oversimplification of Ta-Nehisi Coates

Glenn Loury • 1329 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. Ta-Nehisi Coates' writing explores deep human experiences and how our backgrounds shape us. This shows that our nurturing environments impact our moral choices and understanding of suffering.
  2. There's a need to examine different perspectives on sensitive topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Understanding these viewpoints helps us grasp the complexity of people's actions and beliefs.
  3. Coates emphasizes the importance of recognizing human connections and the struggle against dehumanization, yet some critics feel he oversimplifies complex issues, making it harder to have deeper discussions.

And you don't care?

Secretum Secretorum • 378 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
📖 Philosophy Humanities
  1. Many big, world-changing ideas in the humanities come from altered states or sudden experiences that feel given, not from linear, conscious thinking.
  2. Anomalous events like levitation or ecstatic encounters, if they actually happened, would force us to rethink consciousness, physics, and what counts as reality, so dismissing them out of hand is a mistake.
  3. Refusing to take ontological positions (agnosticism) is itself a metaphysical stance that tends to support materialist reductionism, so we need to imagine new realities or the humanities will remain sidelined.

Quantifying Curriculum Degradation: Evidence from the University of Chicago

Heterodox STEM • 192 implied HN points • 15 Mar 26
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. A keyword-based method can flag courses as engaging with progressive ideas or the Western canon, and while this approach is blunt and prone to errors or manipulation, it is useful for tracking changes over time and comparing institutions.
  2. At the University of Chicago (2012–2025) the share of courses matching progressive keywords rose from about 12.7% to 28.3% while canon-related courses stayed near 12%, so progressive signals now outpace canon signals especially in humanities and social sciences and even show up in STEM.
  3. A public Curriculum Content Index built from catalogs, syllabi, and enrollment could give families, donors, and policymakers transparent comparisons across universities, but such an index should be treated as a noisy first pass and not as a basis for micromanaging curricula or replacing careful evaluation.
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The Hinternet Foundation

Justin E. H. Smith's Hinternet • 933 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. A new nonprofit has been launched to protect and promote humanistic creativity in an AI-driven world, acting as a sober, programmatic counterpart to a more playful publication.
  2. In 2026 the group will run small, selective programs — an online summer school, paid fall courses, and a Paris summit — with limited spots, application deadlines, and modest fees.
  3. The initiative responds to a perceived failure of universities by building para-academic communities, adapting technology rather than rejecting it, and using boutique publishing and courses to sustain humanistic inquiry.

Come and be my intern (to talk about J.S. Mill)

The Common Reader • 1382 implied HN points • 27 Jan 26
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. There's a Mercatus summer internship focused on classical liberalism and the mainline political economy tradition, blending economics and philosophy.
  2. The program treats literature as essential to liberal thought and will spend a lot of time reading and debating J.S. Mill, so applicants should be ready to discuss Mill's essays regularly.
  3. Undergraduates, recent graduates, and early-stage grad students are encouraged to apply, and interns can propose their own literature projects across many authors and topics, with initiative welcomed.

Palabras y Algoritmos y demás digresiones

Érase una vez un algoritmo... • 119 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Humanities
  1. Writing is an important activity for many people, even if it doesn’t make them money or gain them fame. It can be a personal need and a way to express oneself.
  2. AI can be used as a helpful tool for writing, acting like a smart editor. It can improve writing by catching mistakes and suggesting better phrasing without replacing human creativity.
  3. The author is working on a new book about how AI will change writing. They believe in combining human creativity with AI to create a new collaborative writing process.

How well can Gemini 3 make a Henry James simulator?

Res Obscura • 4354 implied HN points • 19 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Humanities
  1. Gemini 3 is a strong AI model that can create interactive games, like a Henry James simulator set in 1889 Paris. It shows good skills in making maps and storytelling.
  2. The quality of AI-generated content varies, as seen with models like Claude Sonnet 4.5 and GPT-5.1, which struggled to create usable simulations. This shows that human guidance is important.
  3. Using AI in education can be creative and engaging. It offers a chance for students to learn about history through interactive play, encouraging them to think critically about primary sources.

Can automation help make the humanities more human?

Res Obscura • 3732 implied HN points • 06 Nov 25
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. Automation can free people from boring tasks, allowing more time for creative and thoughtful activities. This means we can focus on what makes us human, like art and philosophy.
  2. Generative AI can help in research by organizing and analyzing data that humans might find tedious, but it shouldn't replace personal thinking and creativity. It's important to use it to enhance learning, not to avoid it.
  3. In education, especially for younger students, facing difficult challenges is crucial for real learning. It's vital to encourage critical thinking and creativity instead of letting machines do the work for us.

The Honest Broker's 20 Most Popular Articles From 2024

The Honest Broker • 8610 implied HN points • 31 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. The Honest Broker had a remarkable year with 171 articles published, attracting 25 million views and nearly doubling its subscriber count to 198,000. The growth exceeded initial expectations and highlights a strong community engagement.
  2. Many popular articles focus on technology and culture, reflecting a public concern about the impacts of new tech, including digital platforms that can manipulate and abuse users. There is a call for voices to address these issues, especially for those affected.
  3. Despite a shift towards discussing technology, there's still a yearning for deeper topics like the humanities and creativity. Articles that explore significant cultural shifts and raise critical questions resonate well with readers.

The humanities help us find the people we want to know.

The Common Reader • 3614 implied HN points • 26 May 25
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. The humanities help us connect with like-minded people. Discussing books is a great way to make friends and enhance our lives.
  2. Sorting, selecting, and signaling are important benefits of studying the humanities. They help us find the right group and show others our interests.
  3. Reading great literature, like works from Jonathan Swift, can improve our understanding of each other and create a sense of community.

Can You Really Learn the Humanities in 52 Weeks?

The Honest Broker • 7480 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. You can learn the humanities in a year by following a structured plan with about 250 pages of reading each week. This makes it manageable and not overwhelming.
  2. The course covers a wide range of topics, including literature, art, and music, allowing you to explore human culture broadly.
  3. It's flexible; you can do it at your own pace and even join a reading group if you want to learn with others.

What works of the humanities should undergraduates read?

The Common Reader • 2587 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. Undergraduates should read a broader range of humanities works, not just traditional literature like plays and novels. This can include philosophical texts and historical writings too.
  2. There's a belief that knowing about different important thinkers, like Plato and Shakespeare, can enrich our understanding of both literature and philosophy. They shouldn't be seen as separate subjects.
  3. The idea is to keep the humanities relevant in education by encouraging a diverse syllabus, allowing students to explore many types of important texts together.

Ukrainian History Global Initiative

Thinking about... • 404 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
💾 History Humanities
  1. A major project called the Ukrainian History Global Initiative is underway, with many scholars working together to create a comprehensive history of Ukraine. This project is important not just for Ukraine but for understanding global history as well.
  2. The humanities, like literature and history, are crucial during tough times, helping people find meaning and purpose. Even in a war, scholars in Ukraine are showing how vital these subjects are for understanding life's bigger questions.
  3. Recent advancements in technology are helping researchers discover important facts about Ukraine's past, like the origins of early human settlements and languages. This knowledge is changing how we view not only Ukrainian history but also world history.

Welcome to my words

Technohumanism • 139 implied HN points • 22 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. Connecting art and science is important to understand human experiences and creativity. Both play a role in helping us find meaning in our lives.
  2. The author has a diverse background in journalism and tech, sharing unique stories and insights from various industries. Their experiences aim to bring a fresh perspective on complex topics.
  3. The aim of this Substack is to explore intriguing ideas and offer guidance about navigating the changing world, especially in relation to technology and its impact on society.

Culture Links, 11/20/2025

In My Tribe • 258 implied HN points • 20 Nov 25
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. Humans have developed to form pair bonds and invest in their young, leading to smaller sex differences compared to other species. This means that both men and women know the importance of caring for their children.
  2. Taking time to think and reflect, like walking or spending time outdoors, can help improve our understanding and creativity. In today's fast-paced world, it's important to slow down and really think things through.
  3. New technologies change how we interact and think, often pushing us into more tribal mindsets. Social media can amplify these identities and lead to more division instead of unity.

Movie Review: Anora

Life Since the Baby Boom • 2766 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. The movie 'Anora' tells a unique love story between a sex worker and a rich young man, highlighting their genuine connection amidst the chaos of their lives.
  2. The film explores themes of acceptance and the complexity of feelings related to sex and relationships, challenging the idea that sex work is simply a job without emotional weight.
  3. The characters bring humor and depth, especially with comedic elements surrounding family dynamics and cultural clashes, making it a fun yet thought-provoking watch.

The Global Food Institute, an update

Longer Tables with José Andrés • 825 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Humanities
  1. The Global Food Institute aims to inspire a new generation to solve big food problems through policy, innovation, and humanities.
  2. The Institute has made progress, including participation in events like the World Food Forum and the launch of the Alliance for a Sustainable Future.
  3. Key leaders like Bill Dietz and Tara Scully are driving research, policy work, and curriculum development at the Institute.

Modern Meditations: Claire Hughes Johnson

The Generalist • 3322 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
💼 Business Humanities
  1. Claire Hughes Johnson values direct constructive criticism for personal and professional growth.
  2. Claire emphasizes the importance of reading literature to be a well-rounded individual.
  3. Claire discusses the need to adapt and embrace the rapid technological changes facing society.

The English Major is Dead. Long Live... Statistics?

Litverse • 598 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
📚 Literature Humanities
  1. The traditional focus on English majors and humanities is declining in college, with more students opting for fields like statistics and focusing on tangible results and financial outcomes.
  2. There is a shift towards valuing passion over privilege in the humanities, while statistics and data-driven analysis gain popularity in educational pursuits.
  3. The current generation is redefining education and career paths, emphasizing skills and practical knowledge over the traditional humanities subjects, reflecting a cultural shift in how knowledge is valued and applied.

Einstein on Education

Humanities in Revolt • 459 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. Albert Einstein believed that humanities were crucial for human flourishing and couldn't be replaced by a purely scientific education.
  2. Einstein criticized early specialization in education, emphasizing the importance of a broad humanistic general education over narrow career-focused paths.
  3. Einstein advocated for cultivating independent thinking skills in students, warning against excessive competitiveness in educational systems and promoting a philosophy of honoring individuality and social responsibility.

☞ "The Magic of Code" and the Humanistic Computation Project

Cabinet of Wonders • 254 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Humanities
  1. The project focuses on viewing computing as a humanistic art, aiming to blend technology with liberal arts education. This approach hopes to deepen our understanding of code and its impact on society.
  2. There's excitement about developing educational programs like courses and workshops to discuss these ideas more widely. Building a community of people with similar interests is also a goal.
  3. A new book titled 'The Magic of Code' has been released, which explores these themes and is part of the broader Humanistic Computation Project.

The End of History

The Ruffian • 1241 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. Academic historians are facing challenges within their own discipline
  2. Researchers in London studied the impact of the Black Death on people of African descent
  3. There is concern over the misuse of historical narratives for social activism in academic research

☞ The Humanistic Computation Project

Cabinet of Wonders • 300 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Humanities
  1. Computation can help us understand many fields, not just programming. It can connect ideas from literature, biology, philosophy, and more.
  2. The study of computation involves looking at how we think and use language. It also explores the limits of mathematics and the nature of reality.
  3. Humanistic computation blends computer science with the humanities and social sciences. This new field encourages us to think deeply about how technology and culture interact.

Private thread: Can the humanities save cities and companies money?

The Recovering Academic • 178 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. One way to address water shortages in the American Southwest is through interdisciplinary approaches, such as investing in research, conservation initiatives, and public education rather than just focusing on increasing water supply.
  2. The aesthetic preferences and perceptions of beauty, particularly influenced by imported European ideals, play a significant role in creating water problems in regions like Arizona, highlighting the potential impact of humanities like art and literature in reshaping these views.
  3. Considering humanities expertise, including art, religion, philosophy, and history, could potentially offer valuable solutions to economic challenges faced by cities and companies beyond just water shortages.

on the meaning of ritual

alice maz • 78 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
📖 Philosophy Humanities
  1. Rituals are practices that help people understand and express important values like kindness and righteousness. They guide behavior and help maintain harmony in society.
  2. Xunzi believed that rituals are not fixed but can be created and adapted over time to meet the needs of society. This shows that traditions can evolve while still being useful.
  3. Rituals help structure relationships and social order, allowing for personal responsibilities and duties to be understood and respected within a community. This fosters mutual support and trust.

'Luckily, we love tedious work'

imperfect offerings • 119 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. Generative AI may impact the job market, emphasizing marketization over addressing economic and social challenges.
  2. Artificial intelligences may free humans from tedious tasks, but can also lead to uncreative and repetitive work.
  3. AI technologies are evolving, but their impact on graduate job market transformation may not align with initial expectations.

Living Truths and Dead Dogmas: How the Humanities Honors Freedom of Thought and Expression

Humanities in Revolt • 279 implied HN points • 08 Sep 22
🚌 Education Humanities
  1. The humanities teach us not to judge something before we understand it, promoting open-mindedness, love for enemies, and freedom of thought and expression.
  2. Criticism of conventional schooling highlights the need for education that fosters critical thinking, independence, and a love for learning, rather than regimentation and conformity.
  3. Humanistic inquiry reinvigorates our understanding of beliefs, encourages critical examination, and emphasizes the ongoing effort necessary to maintain living truths instead of dead dogmas.

Humanities and Social Change: There is No Final Revolution

Humanities in Revolt • 159 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. Society often focuses on the mechanics of achieving objectives, but sustaining social change requires creativity, empathy, perseverance, and purpose, which the humanities can provide.
  2. Feelings of frustration and despair are common in social justice activism, but acknowledging these emotions and turning to the humanities can offer spiritual and ethical sustenance.
  3. Victories in social-political movements are impermanent, emphasizing the need to replace the pursuit of 'victory' with a more human and sustainable approach, reflected in the idea that there is no final revolution. Revolutions are infinite and ongoing.

A Welcome to New Subscribers

Mind & Mythos • 199 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
📖 Philosophy Humanities
  1. Psychology connects many fields, and the author sees it as a mix of art and science. This blend leads to a better understanding of the human mind.
  2. The blog focuses on personality psychology, which ties together different areas of psychology. It's a way to explore how personality influences behavior and thoughts.
  3. The author plans to publish at least one essay each month and share shorter posts when inspired. Readers can find a guide to the content on the About page.

Chat with Humanities in Revolt

Humanities in Revolt • 99 implied HN points • 19 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. The introduction of a new feature called Humanities in Revolt subscriber chat provides a more private and creative space for subscribers to have informal conversations.
  2. The chat allows for exploration of ideas and perspectives in a relaxed manner, where subscribers can engage with the content creator and each other in a more spontaneous way.
  3. To join the chat, subscribers need to download the Substack app, as the chats will be sent through the app with push notifications enabled to stay updated on conversations.

Why A.I. Won’t Make Us Dumb

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 06 May 24
🕹 Technology Humanities
  1. The assumption that AI will make us dumb is based on a simplistic view of human behavior resembling coding logic, but humans are complex and creative beings.
  2. Technological advancements like AI are more likely to augment our capabilities rather than diminish them over time, allowing for new forms of learning and creativity.
  3. Humanity's diversity, creativity, opinions, and resistance to conformity make it unlikely that we will completely submit to AI, preserving our autonomy and individuality.

65 Years “Two Cultures” – Time for a Celebration?

Heterodox STEM • 92 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Humanities
  1. There's a divide between the humanities and STEM fields, which can lead to a lack of understanding and cooperation. This split has been growing over the years and is sometimes seen as a 'culture war.'
  2. Non-knowledgeable behaviors, like group think and over-emphasizing feelings, are affecting how knowledge is developed and shared. It's important to stick to processes that encourage truth and understanding.
  3. In academia, different cognitive traits can be found in STEM compared to the humanities. Recognizing these differences might help us understand the ongoing issues in knowledge creation and communication.